Means for building dentures



April 13, 1937. K, Ros 2,077,012

MEANS FOR BUILDING D ENTURES Filed Feb. 14, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 i 72% is I L? w.

April 13, 1937. R 2,077,012

MEANS FOR BUILDING DENTURES Filed Feb. 14, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 13, 1937. oss 2,077,012

MEANS FOR BUILDING DENTURES Fi-led Feb. 14, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet s April 13, 1937. K. Ross 2,077,012

MEANS FOR BUILDING D ENTURES Filed Feb. 14, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 13, 1937. K. ROSS 2,077,012

MEANS FOR BUILDING DENTURES Filed Feb. 14, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheets" fave/12 01:

""25 Another object of the invention Patented Apr. 13, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,077,012 7 I MEANS FOR BUILDING lJENTURES Karl Ross, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Application February 14, 1935, Serial No. 6,437 I 15 Claims. (01. 32-32) The present invention pertains to a novel dental apparatus for use in setting teeth in models of the patients gums prior to forming the final plate. The principal object of the invention is to provide such a device enabling theaccurate setting or positioning of each tooth separately and maintaining itin such position until the bite for the final plates is made. Each tooth is held in its determined position by mechanical means which do not readily permit of accidental displacement. In thisre'spect the invention presents-many obvious advantages over the present method of setting and adjusting teeth directly in the dental compound. The device of the invention is also useful in making partial plates for any desired number of teeth and also for setting the teeth in the construction'oi other kinds of dental work such as bridge work; for example.

is to provide a set-up of the teeth removable from the articulator jaws, this set-up being suitable for insertionin the mouth of the patient for try-on purposes.

30 Although the invention is intended primarily for practical dental work, it may also be used for demonstration work and instruction.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the 35 accompanyingdrawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the lower set of teeth mounted in the articulator;

2 is a perspective view of one of the Figure incisors; 40 FigureB is a plan view of an incisor and its supporting means;

Figure 4 is a corresponding side elevation; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the clip for holding the tooth; 45 Figure 6 is a section of the binding ring on the clip; 7

Figure '7 is a plan view of a bicuspid or molar and its supporting means; Figure 8 is a corresponding side elevation; Figure 9 is a plan view similar to Figure 7, showing the tooth in a different adjustment;

Figure 10 is a planyview. of a modified form of rear supporting mechanism; 55 Figure 11 is a detail section, similar to Figure 12, showing a somewhat different adjustment;

Figure 12 is a section on the line I2-l2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 13 is a side X elevation of the articulator 60 .with; the teeth mounted therein Figure 14 is a detail section of the supporting means shown in Figures '7, 8, and 9 Figure 15 is agdetail section of the supporting means for the bicuspids and molars;

Figure 16 is aplan view of a modified holding means for the incisors and canines;

Figure 1-7 is a perspective view of the clip thereofg."

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the binding ring thereof;

Figure 19 is a cross section. of the supporting means for the incisors;

Figure 20 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus for supporting the ,upperset of teeth;

Figure 21 is a detail section thereof; Figure 22 is a bottom plan view of one of the bicuspids;

Figure 23 is asection on the line 23-23 of Fig. 22;

Figure 24 is an elevation of the apparatusshown in Figure 14;

Figure-25 is a detail elevation of the support for one of the incisors;

Figure 25-A is a detail perspective view of the supporting means shown in Figs. 3 and 4;

Figure 26 is a plan view of a set-up, independent of the articulator, for a try-on in the mouth and onthe lower jaw;

. Figure 27 a detail perspective view of the supporting. means for the incisors and canines;

Figure "28 is a section on the line 28-48 of Fig. 26;

Figure 29 is a planview thereof;

Figure 30 is a detail rear elevation thereof;

Figure 31 is a similar view of a modified construction; I

Figure 32 is a cross section of the base plate, showing in elevation one of the incisors and the supporting means therefor;

Figure 33 is a similar section taken at a different point of the base plate; I

Figure 34 is a longitudinal section of one of the transverse, supporting bars;

Figure 35 is a section on the line 35-35 of Fig. 34;

Figure 36 is an elevation of the transverse tierod; p 1 igure 3'? is a detail longitudinal section thereof; a

Figure 38 is asection on the line 38-38 of Fig. 37; a

Figure 39 is a detail plan view of Figure 33;

Figure 40 is a detail sectional view at one end of apparatus shownin F ure 26;

Figure-A1 is a bottom plangview. of a set-up in-,

dependent of the articulator, for a try-on on the upper jaw;

Figure 42 is a detail cross section thereof illustrating in elevation one of the incisors and the supporting means therefor;

Figure 43 is a detail perspective view of an element used in Figure Figure 44 is a detail cross section of Figure 41, taken at the rear of the device;

10 Figure 45 is a detail plan view of Figure 44;

Figure 46 is a detail elevation of the supporting means for the incisors;

Figure 47 is a detail plan view of Figure 44;

Figure 48 is a perspective view of a part in Fig. 46;

Figure 49 is a detail plan section of Figure 42;

Figure 50 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 47;

Figure 51 is a detail perspective view of an end 0 of the retaining wire shown in Figure 41;

Figure 52 is a perspective view of the securing means therefor;

Figure 53 is a perspective View of a modified end assembly shown in Figure 26;

Figure 54 is a perspective view of the tool for manipulating the teeth;

Figure 55 is a plan view of a plate to be attached to the device shown in Figure 10;

Figure 56 is a section on the line 5656 of Fig. 55;

Figure 57 is a side elevation corresponding to Fig. 55;

Figures 58 and 59 are perspective views of pliers for manipulating certain tooth supporting means; and

Figures 60 and 61 are perspective views of details of the pliers.

Reference to the drawings will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

The method employed in this invention does not necessarily depend on the use of an articulating machine, though it will be thus described herein and probably its use will materially aid in carrying out the method.

The initial step is one common to this art and that is making a plaster cast or plaster casts of the jaw interiors indicated by the letters A and B.

The next step is to apply a temporary sheathing on the gums to form a base plate, usually a sheet wax formed to the shapes of the plaster casts and representing the gum projections therefrom for use either within the mouth or in the articulating machine. Soft wax is now built up on these base plates and the bite made, which gives the distance from upper to lower Jaws.

The distance set, the next step is to introduce the teeth of the artificial set and to do this the back teeth on each side are slidably and rockably mounted in tracks and the front teeth on index fingers and all adjusted to the shapes of the jaws and other peculiarities of the mouth for the tracks, the index fingers, the universally jointed 65 arms and other holders and tools and the rest of the parts contribute to the operations tending towards placing each tooth and holding it.

The next step is filling in the gum supports which in this operation constitutes soft wax and this is done in one waxing for all the teeth on the outside for a part of the height of each tooth, then the frame of tracks, fingers and arms, may be removed and the inside filling of wax to represent gums added, also in one waxing. g

Now the pattern is complete and the final operation is to cast the plates in suitable material usually a hard rubber or composition.

The articulator is better shown in Figure 13 wherein may be seen the articulator jaws A and B described in detail below. To the jaws are applied the models 2 and 3 of the upper and lower gums which are made in the usual manner. The invention is directed more particularly to the means and method of setting and applying the teeth to the gums.

The incisors 4 are notched at 5 on the rear surface as indicated in Figure 2, and from the bottom of the notch extend two pins 6, one above the other. The remaining teeth 1 are provided with a single removable stem 8 extending rearwardly as shown more clearly in Figures 14 and 24. It is understood however that the stem 8 could be replaced by another one in making the final plate. The second stems could be made of same material as the final plates, thus holding firmly and integrally the teeth to the denture. The object is for holding the teeth in position so they could not go out of shape before vulcanizing.

For supporting each of the teeth 4, there is provided a member such as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, consisting of a ball 9 from which extends a pair of spring arms It] with perpendicular ends I0 engageable respectively with opposite sides of the pins 6 and beneath the heads 6' thereof. A ring II is slidably mounted on each pair of spring arms and eifects compression between the ends l0 by engagement with humps l2 formed in the arms. For removing the ring from the humps, in order to spread the arms, a tool such as shown in Figures 58, 59, 60, and 61 may be inserted in a notch I 3 cut in the ring. The ring is very small and is therefore better handled with a tool.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the ball 9 is received in a socket [4 formed on the end of a stem [5. As shown in Figure 1, these members are associated only with the incisors. Obviously, a universal joint is provided in each ball 9 and socket l4, and there is sufiicient friction between these parts to maintain any given angular adjustment I. The stems I 5 are received in telescopic tubes l6 which in turn are articulated on the rear plate I! as will presently be described. The rear end of each tube I6 is disposed over a slot 18 in plate I! and is formed with ears I8 resting on a U plate 19 mounted over the slot. A bolt 20 passes through the rear end of each tube l6 and through the plate and slot to hold the parts together. The rear end of each tube is split and formed with a pair of rounded ears l8 resting on the corresponding plate I9.

As shown more clearly in Figure 12, a pair of stems 2| are mounted transversely of the mouth in ears 22 formed in the plate 11, the ears being tightened by bolts 22'. The purpose of the stems 2! is to support a pair of track members 23 extending along the canines, bicuspids and. molars.

To support the track members, the free end of each stem 2| is split at 24 to receive a screw eye 25 (Fig. 15) held by a bolt 27 (Fig. 1). The free end of the screw eye threads into the rear end of the corresponding track member 23. This end of the track member is reduced and receives a collar 28 having a setscrew 29 by means of which the assembly is secured at this point.

The track members 23 are nearly tubular in cross section, having an opening at the top as may be seen in Figures 8 and 19, and are curved horizontally inwardly and at the same time verjaws. For each tooth to be carriedby a track member, there is provided a pair. of lugs 36 angular in shape and each having a round or tubular lower portion. fitted one within the other and both within the track .member. The previously mentioned stems 8 extending from the bicuspids and molars passthrough a pair of lugs 36. The

members of each pair of lugs are slidable relatively to each other at the tubularends, where,- by the. angle of each stem 8 to the member 23 may be regulated as illustrated by a comparison of Figures 7 and 9.

Between the lugs 36, the stem 8 is surrounded by a coil spring 31 wound on a curved axis for a purpose which willpresently appear. The end of stem 8 adapted for insertion in and removal from a tooth is indicated by the numeral 32 in Figure 14, and directly behind this end portion, the stem is formed with a peripheral groove 33 at the hole 33 of the forward lug 36. The groove interlocks with the periphery of the hole to hold the lug 36, and the foremost coil of the spring 3| enters the groove 33, due to the curvature of the axis of the spring, and thereby holds the stem firmly against the lug 36.

The canines 4' have their balls 9 received in sockets 34, as shown in Figure 25. Each socket, however, has a depending stem 35 for a purpose which will presently appear. Each socket 34 is mounted on a stem 36 having a loop 36' at one end in which the stem 35 is screwed. The stems 36 are attached to the track members 23 by the means illustrated in Figure 19. A ball 31 is mounted in the track member and has a stud 38 vertically screwed therein. The end of the screw is pointed, and the bottom of ball 31 is split so that the screw spreads the lower part of the ball and holds the ball tightly in the track member.

. A plate 39 is held beneath the head 38' and is formed at one end with a loop 39 enclosing the stem 56. Each stem 8 passing through a pair of lugs 36 has a ball 46 screwed on the rear end thereof for assembly and finish.

In the use of the invention as thus far described, the teeth are properly adjusted 'relatively tothe gums 2 and 3 by means of the several universal joints and telescopic members. The forward surfaces are first covered with wax, and then the supporting members, such as stems 8 and the clips ID, are removed, after which the rear surfaces are enclosed in wax to complete the impression of the artificial set of teeth as prepared on the articulator. The upper end and lower dentures are cast up to the line 4| in Figure 2.

From the lower jaw B of the articulator extends a standard or upright 42 at a slight angle. To this member is secured a transverse shaft 43 by means of a suitable clamp 42 as better illustrated in Figures 1 and 13. A plate 44 is ad- .justably secured to the shaft by another clamp 43 and occupies a position between the shaft 43 and the plate IT, as may be seen in Figure 1. In the ends of the plate 44 are mounted short stems 45 which in turn support the collars 46' of another plate 46. The collars permit an angular adjustment of plate 46 about stems 45. Finally, the plate I! is adjustably secured to plate 46 by means of a screw 4! mounted in a slot 41' in plate IT.

The upper denture attachment is shown in bottom plan view in Figure 20. The arrangement of the teeth is substantially the same as in the lower denture. Tubes 16a. are, attached to a plate Ila, these parts corresponding respectively to the members l6 and 11 of Figure 1. A plate 46a issubstituted fornthe plate 46 of Figure 1, and the stems 2| of Figure 1 are replaced by angular stems 48. Each stem 46 carries a split ball 49 which in turn is received in the hollow end of a transverse shaft 56 occupying an upper position as may be seen' in Figure 13.

Screws 5| are inserted in the end. of the shaft and are adapted to engage the balls to tighten them againstthe stems 4|, to hold the latter in place. By means of the balls 49, the stems 48 maybe adjusted angularly.

The upper jaw A of the articulator has a pair of rearwardly extending stems 53 carrying a transverse stem 54 as may be seen in Figures 20 and 21, for the purpose of supporting the shaft 56. The construction for this purpose comprises for each stem 53a U shaped member 55 having its bottom engaged by the corresponding stem as shown more clearly in Figure" 21. The shaft 56 is held in the ears 55' of the member 55. An angular piece 56 is inserted between the shaft 56 and the stem 53, and the assembly is secured by means of screws 51 threaded through the shaft 56 and bearing on the members 56. The screws also adjust the elevation of shaft 56.

The bicuspids and molars '1 have a pair of sockets 58 at the end adjacent to the gum, and

the molding compound enters the sockets to hold the teeth to the denture. Between the sockets there remains a ridge 58 for receiving the stem 8 as shown in Figure 23.

Figures 17 and 18 show a modification of the clip illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5. The bent ends [6 of Figure 5 are here replaced by straight bars 59 formed integral with the arms of the clip. The plain ring I I of Figure 6 is replaced by the modified ring 66 shown in Figure 18. This member has a pair of projections 6! which are received between the ends 59 as may be seen in Figure 16. The other end of the ring carries a pair of curved ears or projections 62 which may be grasped by the pliers shown in Figures 58 to 61, for moving the ring from one position to another.

Figure 10 illustrates a modification of the previously described plate 44, the corresponding member being here indicated by the numeral 63, and also a modification of the member 43 which is here indicated by the numeral 64. The stems 45' in the ends of the plate 63 carry ayoke 65 adapted to carry the plate 66 shown in Figures 55, 56, and 5'7. For this purpose the plate 66 has a pair of stems 61 received in apertured members 68 mounted on the ends of the yoke 65. The socket members 68 are separately illustrated in Figure 43. Each socket member has a tube 69 depending from the plate. 68 in line with the hole. A pair of tongues 16 are turned upwardly and tubes 69 are slidably received in slots ll cut in the ends of the yoke 65. The vertical portions of the tubes 69 are pressed slightly inwardly for firm engagement with the stems fi'l inserted therein.

The stems 61 are not integral with the plate 66, but are formed on a double plate 12 as shown in Figures 55 and 5'7. The plate 12 is laid over the edge of plate '66 and secured thereto by a staple 13 passing through a slot 14 formed at the center of the rear edge of plate 65. The plate 66.is also provided with holes 74 to use it on ordinary articulators.

Figure 26 illustrates a mounted set of teeth independent of the articulator and forming a unit which may be tried on in themouth. The t y-on is made-by mounting the set on'the base plate 84 (Fig. 32) which fits on the gums. The try-on in the mouth is used for a final adjustment of the teeth. A similar set-up for the upper denture is shown in Figure 41.

In Figure 32 the incisors and canines have clips I0a as previously described received in sockets 16. From each socket extends a flat I6 received in a cradle 11, shown in perspective in Figure 27. The cradle has its lower end curved at 18 to receive a wire 19 extending along the rear of the bicuspids and molars. To the center of the cradle is pivoted a link 89 carrying a loop or ring 8| through which is passed a transverse rod 82 by which the cradle is positioned relative to the rod 82. The four rear teeth on each side are supported in the-manner previously described, namely by means of lugs 30 mounted in track members 83. A section of track is shown in Figure 28. One end of the track is held as shown in Figures 28 and 29, while the other end is shown in Figures 33 and 39.

A bent wire or metal bent thus is inserted in the track 83 and is formed externally with a ring 86. The other or outer side of the wire is formed integral with a slide piece 81 in which the bent wire 88 is slidably mounted. The upper end of the wire is in the form of a finger piece 89 for adjustment. Near the member 85 is an angular stem having a horizontal portion lying over the track as shown in Figure 29. This portion receives a vertical screw 9! passing through the track and. engaging the lower horizontal end of the member 88, whereby the height of track member 83 may be adjusted. The lower vertical portion of the stem 99' telescopes in a tube 92, the lower end of which is curled around the wire I9.

Figure 31 shows a modification of the slide piece of Figure 30, the wire 88 in the latter being replaced by a plate 93 having a pin 94 extending therefrom. It may be seen in Figure 30 that the wire 88 is spread for frictional engagement with its slide. This slide is formed with a stop adapted for engagement by a finger piece 89 to prevent the wire from being pulled out of the slide.

The rear end of each track section 83 receives the ball end 96 of a hook 91 having a ring 98. A transverse bar 91a has its end hooked into the opposite ring 98. The ball end 96 receives one end of a U shaped wire 99 partly covered by a double tube I00 shown more clearly in Figure 39. The forward end of the tube is articulated to a curved wire IOI which in turn is pivoted to a plate I02 resting on the base plate 84. The wire 99 is adjustable lengthwise in tube I00, and the angle of elevation is adjustable by means of the articulated wire IOI.

Integral with the member 9! is 2. depending stem I03 telescoping in a tube I03, said tube being hooked around the rod 19 as clearly shown in Figure 33. The rings 86 receive ends of rod 82 in the same manner that the hooks 98 receive the ends of rod 91a.

Figure 34 illustrates a section of rod 82 of Figure 26, and the rod 91a is shown in elevation in Figure 36. The rod 82 contains a slidable tube 82a, having a hook 822) formed on its exposed end. The tube 82a receives the slidable stem 820 having a hook I05 on its exposed end. A look plate I06 slidable on the stem adjacent to the hook is adapted to close the hook. The inner end of tube 82a is flanged inward at 821), and the inner end of stem 820 is bent outward at 82d, so that the members 82a and 820 cannot be pulled apart.

The rod 91a is likewise telescopic, having an inner piece 91b with a hook I05 formed on its outer end. Adjacent to this hook is a sliding lockplate I06 as previously described. The inner end of the outer telescopic member has a notch I0! in which is received a spring ring I08. The inner end of the stem 91?) is grooved at I01 to receive a portion of spring ring I08 and prevent the member 9Ib from being pulled out of member 91a. The hooks 82b and I04 have such a curvature that they cannot be removed from their respective anchoring rods when the hooks I95 and I05 are locked.

The ends of track sections 83 are substantially tubular as shown in Figure 40 and are each closed by a plate I09 carrying an integral ball I09 sprung into the end of the track section, so that there will be no exposed rough ends to injure the mouth of the patient.

In addition to the plate I02 for holding the assembly on the base plate 84, auxiliary plates III] are mounted on the wires I9 wherever there is space for them. Also, there are provided additional members I I I functioning like the parts 90, 92 and I03, I03, joining the track 83 to the Wire T9. The members III are fitted in ball members, similar to the ball ends 96, mounted in the track section. The wires I9 have telescopic tubes H2 at the rear ends for extension.

To prevent the teeth from falling out, they are encircled by an outer wire ring II3, one end of which is shown in Figure 51. The parts for holding the ends in the track section 83 are illustrated in Figure 52. The assembly for each end includes a cylindrical plug II4, a curved plate H5 and a screw IIB adapted to be threaded into both parts. The cylinder or plug H4 is mounted in the track, and over it is placed the curved plate I I5. Finally, the screw I I6 is inserted in both parts, and the hook end of wire H3 is hooked around the screw. The screw is then tightened to bind the parts together.

A slightly different form of wire H3 is shown in Figures 51 and 41. A doubled wire II! is inserted in a plug H8 which, in turn, is attached to the end of wire II3 by a set-screw H8. The double wire is fastened to the track by the means shown in Figure 52 and described in connection therewith.

The similar apparatus for the upper denture, independent of the articulator, is shown in Figure 41. The incisors and canines are articulated on universal joints, including each a socket II9. Figure 42 shows the socket member for the canines, and Figure 46 for the incisors. With reference first to- Figures 46 and 48, a flat stem I20 extends from the socket member. In a hole I20 in the upper end of the member I20 is inserted one end of a short stem I2I having a head I22 and'telescoping in a tube I23. The tube terminates in a ball I24 pivotally received in a tubular member I25 formed integral with or secured to another tubular member I26. The parts I24 and I 25 form a double or twin tube. In Figures 42 and 49 the stem I21 extending from socket II 9 is also fiat and is surrounded near its upper end by one end of a stem I28 telescoping in a tube I29 corresponding to the tube I23 of Figure 46.

The ends of the transverse tie rod I30 of Figure 41 are held in the device shown in Figures 47 and 50 which enables adjustment to any desired angle or height. This device embodies end plates I3I and I3I' fixed to thebase plate 132 shown in Figure 44. The plate I3I has a pivot pin I33 terminating in a hook to which is'articulated a double tube I34. Stems I35 slide in the double tube and are pivotally attached to one end of a center member I36. The other end plate- I3I' has a pair of ears I3Ia in which slides a hook I31. To this hook is articulated a strap I31 which is also suitably hinged to the center member I36. The inner edge of the end plate I3I is curled to form a tube I38 for receiving the vided with extension tracks I43 closed by plates I44 so that there will be no exposed rough ends to injure themouth of the patient. i

Figure 54 shows in perspective -a tool I50 for holding the teeth'and putting them in place. One jaw of the tool has a socket NH and is split from the socket at I52. This jaw is of varying width and carries a sliding clip I53. By this means the width of the socket may be varied for different sizes of teeth.

The pliers for manipulating the previously mentioned rings II and B0 are shown in Figures 58 to 61. This tool comprises a pair of jaws I55 pivoted together at I56. Between the jaws is inserted a flat spring I51 coiled at I58 and adapted to hold the pressure ends of the jaws apart. Between the same ends of the jaws is also inserted a sliding spreader I59 for establishing any given. pressure between the working ends I60 of the tool.

It may now be seen that the invention provides universally adjustable supports for the teeth whereby the latter may be set in any desired position. before being fixed in the denture, whereby the previously mentioned objects of the invention are fulfilled by this means and by the Various devices previously described in detail.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:--.

1. In a dental apparatus, track members, supports mounted in said members and individually adjustable therein, each support including a pair of lugs slidable relatively to each other, and a stem passed through each pair of lugs and adapted for the mounting of a tooth thereon.

2. In an articulator, track members, supports mounted in said members and individually adjustable therein, each support including a pair of lugs slidable relatively to each other, a stem passed through each pair of lugs and adapted for the mounting of a tooth thereon, and a spring on each stem and between the lugs.

33. In an articulator, a standard, individual tooth supports for the frontal teeth supported from said standard, universally adjustable means embodied in each of said supports, track members for the lateral teeth, supports mounted in said members and individually adjustable therein, each support including a pair of lugs slidable relatively to each other, and a stem passed through each pair of lugs and adapted'for the mounting of a tooth thereon.

4.In an articulator, a standard, a plate supported therefrom, telescopic rods adjustably attached to said plate, and extending toward the positions of the frontal teeth, clips universally joined to said rods andadapted for attachment to'artificial teeth, track members for the lateral teeth, supports mounted in said members and individually. adjustable therein, each support, including a pair of lugs slidable relatively to each othergand a stem pass'edthrough each pair of lugs and adapted for the mounting of a tooth thereon.

5. In an "articulator, a standard,- a plate supported therefrom, telescopic rods adjustably attached to said plate, and extending toward the positions of the frontal teeth, clips universally joined to said rods'and adapted for attachment to artificial teeth, track membe'rs for the lateral teeth, supports mounted in said members andindividually'adjustabletherein, each support, including-a pair of lugsslidable relatively to each other, and a stem passedthrough each pair of lugs and adapted for'the mounting of a tooth thereon, and a ball mounted in said track member for supporting a plate having at one end a loop for enclosing the end of a stem, said stem having a loop at the other end for receiving a stem integral of a socket, clips universally joined to said socket and adapted for attachment to the canines artificial teeth.

6. In means for building dentures, a setting frame flexibly mounted and having index fingers adjustably holding the front artificial teeth, tracks transversely adjustable and pivotally mounted on said frame holding the back and intermediate artificial teeth for individual placing and positioning and a support for the frame.

7. In means for building dentures, a setting frame flexibly mounted and having index fingers adjustably holding the front artificial teeth, tracks transversely adjustable and pivotally mounted in said frame, track members in pairs carrying a stem projecting horizontally outward from said track and adapted for the mounting of a tooth thereon.

8. In means for building dentures, a setting frame flexibly mounted and having index fingers adjustably holding the front artificial teeth, tracks transversely adjustable and pivotally mounted on said frame, track members in pairs carrying stems for the mounting of the back and intermediate artificial teeth and adapted for radial and rotary adjustment of the teeth relative to the track.

9. In means for building dentures, a setting frame flexibly mounted and having index fingers adjustably holding the front artificial teeth, tracks transversely adjustable and pivotally mounted on said frame, track members in pairs carrying stems for the mounting of the back and intermediate artificial teeth, a spring about said stem and between said track members, said stem and tooth being radially and rotatably adjustable against the tension of said spring and held thereby.

10. In means for building dentures, a main support suitably anchored, telescopic fingers slidably mounted on said support, spring clips swivelly mounted on the upper end of said fingers for adjustably holding the front artificial teeth and tracks adjustably supported and locked in said main support and universally holding the back and intermediate artificial teeth for individual placing and positioning.

11. In means for building dentures, a main support suitably anchored, telescopic fingers slidably mounted on said support, spring clips swivelly mounted on the upper end of said fingers for adjustably holding the front artificial teeth and tracks adjustably supported from said main support and swivelly holding the back and intermediate artificial teeth for individual placing and positioning.

12. In means for building dentures, a main support suitably anchored, telescopic fingers slidably mounted on said support, spring clips swivelly mounted on the upper end of said fingers for adjustably holding the front artificial teeth, tracks adjustably supported from said main support and swivelly holding the back and intermediate artificial teeth for individual placing and positioning and telescopic spacing members between said tracks at their ends.

13. In means for building dentures, a main support, side tracks adjustably supported from said main support and swivelly holding the back and intermediate artificial teeth, a telescopic spacing member between said tracks, telescopic arms slidable in said spacing member and connected at their forward end to telescopic fingers, slidably mounted on said main support and spring clips swivelly mounted on the upper end of said fingers for adjustably holding the front artificial teeth.

14. In means for building dentures, a setting frame flexibly mounted and having index fingers adjustably holding the front artificial teeth, a wire mounted on said frame and encircling said teeth, and tracks swivelly holding the back and intermediate artificial teeth for individual placing and positioning and a support for the frame, and means for adjusting the wire towards or away from the back and intermediate teeth.

15. In means for building dentures, a support, a track member carried by the support, said track member having opposing sides, a tooth support comprising two lugs each adapted to bear against a side of the track member, a spring for urging said lugs into engagement with the sides of the track and a pin carried by the side lugs for supporting the tooth.

KARL ROSS. 

